Accountability to be across the board: PM

ISLAMABAD, Sep 22 (APP): Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said accountability shall be across the board and the government and opposition shall adopt the accountability bill with consensus.“I shall support the accountability bill. Accountability should be across the board including politicians, judiciary, armed forces and bureaucrats,” he said in National Assembly in response to a point raised by the Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.“There is slight difference between the accountability and victimization and we shall sit with the opposition to bring a consensus accountability bill to the House and adopt it unanimously,” the Prime Minister said.
He said it is not acceptable that politicians are declared corrupt and others claim to be ‘pious’. “Let everybody face accountability. When judiciary and Army come under criticism they unite but when we come under criticism we shatter. Let us also stand united and make the Parliament sovereign.”
He said if anybody wants to change us it makes no difference because anybody who will come to this House shall come through peoples vote. “We believe in supremacy of the Parliament. We respect all institutions working under the constitution as well as decisions of the judiciary.”
“But, we also believe in not encroaching other institutions space and would also not like any other institution to encroach our space,” he added. The Prime Minister said once again the charges of corruption are being levelled against the politicians. “But, I assure you to protect this House. Parliamentarians have been elected under the constitution. It makes no difference either we are on this side of the aisle or the other. We are honorable members of this House.”
He said those talking of the Bangladesh type of system in Pakistan should know that this system even failed in Bangladesh. “And if technocrats want to come to this House they should contest elections. We would not let anybody enjoy dual privileges. One who desires authority should also take the responsibility.”
People are well aware who is who but we need to be united, he said, adding, “we respect the provincial government and the assemblies and all of us should join hands for at least the bare minimum.”
He said most of us have been elected more than once and masses are well aware who truly represent them.
Gilani also requested media to respect the Parliament as all powers derive through the Parliament. “You also enjoy respect only due to democracy. You have also rendered sacrifices for democracy and should strengthen the institution.”
He said every time the governments are dissolved on charges of corruption and those taking over in the name of accountability, remain in power for years but hold no accountability.
“Rather, they come, hold local government elections and form King’s Party and in that party also they include those whom they earlier use to charge of corruption.”
He said politicians are held accountable by masses every time they go to polls. But, those not seeking masses vote escape accountability. “Even a Returning Officer poise to reject papers of a politician even if a small utility bill or other dues are outstanding against them.”
“We render sacrifices for democracy but are blamed of corruption every time and are sent to homes. But, now accountability should be for everybody and across the board,” he said. The Prime Minister said flood caused massive losses leaving millions homeless and it is responsibility of everybody to support our affected brethren – APP